First ILO course in women’s entrepreneurship offered in Bangladesh

Dhaka (ILO News) - The first course using an internationally-established entrepreneurship training programme for women has been carried out by experts from the International Labour Organization (ILO) in Rangamati, Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT).

The first training using the ILO’s GET Ahead: Gender and Entrepreneurship Together for Women in Enterprise in Bangladesh, took place between 5-10 April 2009 and brought together 22 participants from Rangamati, Bandarban, and Khagrachari districts.

The six-day programme introduced the trainees to the basics of entrepreneurship development, with a particular emphasis on gender issues and aspects. The course covered the business women and her environment, the business project, and people, organization and management. After completing the course the students will themselves become trainers, to introduce other women to the GET Ahead methods and provide support to women entrepreneurs in CHT.

The GET Ahead for Women in Enterprise package is specifically designed to be participatory and action-oriented to appeal to students with low literacy levels. The training programme has already helped thousands of women entrepreneurs in countries throughout the region, including Cambodia, Vietnam, and Laos.

The workshop was organized by the Economic Development Cluster of the UNDP CHTDF, and conducted by Ms. Aya Matsuura, International Programme Officer, ILO Dhaka; Ms. Heng Seltik, National Project Coordinator of Women’s Entrepreneurship Development and Gender Equality (WEDGE) Cambodia.

The trainees included officials of the Bangladesh Small Cottage Industry Corporation (BSCIC), staff of UNDP Chittagong Hill Tracts Development Facility (CHTDF), and staff of local NGOs involved in income-generating activities.

“The GET Ahead training is great because it empowers women and builds necessary business skills in a fun and active learning environment”, said Ms. Matsuura. ”We hope that the GET programme will help women entrepreneurs in low-income groups in CHT shift from marginal income generation to profitable business development”.

For more information please contact:

Mr. T.I.M. Nurunnabi Khan, Media Focal Point, ILO Dhaka
Tel: +:880 2 8114705/9112907/9112876, Email

Ms Aya Matsura, International Programme Officer, ILO Dhaka Office
Tel: +880 2 811 7685, Email

Ms. Heng Seltik, National Project Coordinator, ILO WEDGE Cambodia
Tel: +855 23 220 817 Ext. 204, Email